Easy Plant Pot Hack

What do you do when your house plant doesn't fit in the decorative pot you have for it? This is a simple fix I've used for years, you may all know it already but just in case not, let me explain.

Just the other day I was looking for a pot to put this little cyclamen in. This red bucket was a Christmas gift from a neighbour a few years ago, it had a sweet little glitter covered Christmas tree in it. The tree didn't survive but the bucket is very cute so I held on to it.

Lots of people seem to be planting their plants straight into decorative pots nowadays. I've done that myself occasionally but really I think you are better leaving the plant in it's plastic plant pot and dropping that into something decorative.

• Better drainage for the plant
• Your decorative pot won't be damaged being against wet compost. On terracotta the wet seeps through and can lift any paint or unstick glue - been there, done that! Metal tins can start to rust at the joints - been there, done that too!
• Less mess when your plant needs re-potting or you fancy a swap round

But what if the decorative pot is too big? This is what I do:

Take a decorative pot, a plant, a piece of foil and a container of some sort. Here I used a little glass pot that had a lovely mini cheesecake in it. What you choose depends on the size of your pots, you might find just an old lid will be enough.

Put the container upside down in the decorative pot...

Shape the foil roughly into a dish shape and tuck it in on top. Press it to the sides to make it as snug as you can. 

Now pop your plant in on top.

If your plant needs lots of drainage you can put a layer of gravel or pebbles on the foil first.

Now the plant is up at the right level, the pot is protected from the wet compost and when you water your plant the water will sit in the foil dish and not at the bottom of the decorative pot where the plant can't get it.

I've done this quite often, especially with those super tall ceramic pots you sometimes get with orchids. They are great for orchids that must not sit in water but not so good if you want to use the pot for something else. An upturned empty yoghurt pot is a good size for them.

It's not life changing I know, not rocket science either, but a simple trick that has helped me out which you might find handy one day.

The Chelsea Flower Show 2017

Highlights of our visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower show 2017.

Something a bit different today. I was lucky enough to visit the famous Chelsea Flower Show on Friday last week so I thought I'd share my highlights. Spoiler alert - this is a very photo heavy post!

The show has been held in the ground of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, London since 1912 and is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society.

There are a load of show gardens both big and small, a huge marquee they call the Grand Pavilion which is full of displays from plant growers from all over the place, and lots of beautiful stalls selling pretty much everything gardening related you can think of.

Everything was just beautiful but my personal favourite was the BBC 2 sponsored "Anneka Rice Colour Cutting Garden" by Sarah Raven, my photos don't really do it justice, it was a riot of colour and general loveliness.

There were some great gardening quotes in modern calligraphy all over the place.

I love how they used painted upturned jam jars as an edging in this 'Senses' garden designed to encourage kids away for their screens and into the outdoors.

This seems about right:

There were some beautiful pieces from sculptor Simon Gudgeon:

Leaf Spirit

Firebird We all loved the amazing animal sculptures made of drift wood by James Doran.

There's that Joe Swift bloke off the telly!:

If you do ever plan a visit here are my top tips:

• Book early, apparently it got sold out this year.
• Go to Victoria train station and get the shuttle bus instead of the tube. It takes you right to the gates, you'll be walking all day so save your energy.
• Take a packed lunch and plenty to drink - it's really expensive and once you are in you can't come out to get food and go back in - no stamp on your hand for re-entry here, it's not a festival!
• Use the money you save to treat yourselves to a jug of Pimms when it's 'Pimms o'clock' - it's practically the law to have a nice cold glass of Pimms on a hot sunny day here in the UK!

• It's really crowded, especially around the show gardens but people are all nice and there to have a good time. Just wait to get in close, chat to the people standing next to you, you'll get your chance eventually.
• If you can, watch some of the coverage on the tv before, so you can plan the things that you really don't want to miss.

This was a once in a lifetime, special family ladies day out for us, we just had the best time. We got SO lucky with the weather, warm and sunny.

Without exception every member of staff was just lovely too, friendly and helpful. One steward in particular went over and above the call of duty to help us at one point. It was like they really did care and actually wanted us to have a good day.

There are lots of garden shows all over the place but the setting for this one is just fabulous. Yes it's expensive, really expensive, but if gardens are your thing I'd definitely recommend adding it to your bucket list. 

Handmade Monday #27

Hello and welcome to Handmade Monday, our weekly crafty linky.

I'm so pleased you have come to join us for another Handmade Monday, the place to share your makes, bakes and other handmade craft ideas and find some new inspiration.
My week has been chocka block. It was my birthday on Wednesday then on Friday I had the most awesome day out with the ladies in our family on a trip to the Chelsea Flower show. It was roasting hot and very crowded but we had such a good time.

All this has meant I haven't gotten round to visiting and sharing all the lovely posts linked up last week yet. We have a bank holiday weekend here so I will be catching up and visiting you all soon, I promise!

Here are the fabulous features from last week's Handmade Monday:
The Craft Lumberjacks shared how to make this lovely hanging shelf, they even have one of their fun videos to show how.

Vicky Myers, like a lot of us, started taking salads to work for a healthy lunch and encountered the "how to I transport my cutlery' issue. Did she just sling them in a carrier bag? Oh no, not our Vicky! She took the chance to experiment with fabric decorating methods and ends up making a fun and practical cutlery bag to do the job perfectly.

Congratulations, here is a "Yay! I was featured" button for your blog.

<div style="width:100%;text-align:center;"> <span style="margin:5px;padding:5px;border-radius: 5px;border:1px solid lightgrey;display:inline-block;"><a rel=_nofollow href="http://www.sumoftheirstories.com/"> <img style="border: 1px solid gray;width:150px;height:150px;" src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab78/Juliered200/Handmade%20monday%20featured_zpsewahixd7.jpg"> <p style="allign: center;"> </p> </a></span></div>
Instructions: Select all code above, copy it and paste it inside your blog post as HTML

We are all about sharing and caring here at Handmade Monday so when you do link up please take some time to visit some other links and leave a comment. Plus if you are able, do share a few on the social media of your choice. (I know the world of tweets, likes, shares and hashtags is not for everyone so whatever you can do will be much appreciated!)

All the entries are pinning onto our Handmade Monday Pinterest Board. It's a group board so if you'd like to join me and pin your own entries you are very welcome. Just follow to board and then drop me an email letting me know the email address you use for pinterest. I'll send you an invitation and then you can pin away! 

The rules for Handmade Monday are simple:

• Did you make it? Yes - hooray, we'd love to see it!
• Add the link to a specific blog post, not your main site URL.
• Link up to 3 posts each week.
• Mingle - visit some of the other links - comment - share - let's support one another and grow our craft community.

If you're not sure on anything, more information can be found here.

An InLinkz Link-up

Floral Painted Wooden Box

I had so much fun painting simple flowers on my X-acto knife box to turn it from plain to fabulous in one afternoon.

Regular visitors to Sum of their Stories will know we have a crafty linky every Monday, where my crafty bloggy friends stop by and share their latest makes. A few weeks ago the very talented Teodora from Teodora Paintings shared a pretty trinket box she had made with step by step photos showing her process, how she builds up layers to create her little works of art. 

She made it look so do-able I thought I'd have a go so Sunday before last, in the afternoon, I took my X-acto knife box, emptied it out and spent a couple of hours giving it a total makeover.

I took the hinges and catch off before painting, it only took a second.

Following Teodora's photos, simplifying it a little I was able to transform the plain wood/MDF box into a floral delight.

I used some acrylic paints that I already had for this and then gave the whole thing a few coats of spray sealant. 

I am totally in love with it's new look.

It's not perfect but I don't care, it's cute and pretty and I love it.....Did I mention that I love it?

Big thanks to Teodora for sharing a little of her secrets, hop over to her blog to see the steps I was inspired by here. And if you don't fancy having a go yourself she has a load of pretty things for sale in her Etsy and Folksy shops.

Handmade Monday #26

Hello and welcome to Handmade Monday, our weekly crafty linky.

It's good to have you join us for another Handmade Monday, the place to share your makes, bakes and other handmade craft ideas and find some new inspiration.
How has your week been? Any exciting craft projects on the go? I spent this morning finishing a birthday gift for one of my nieces. 

It's her birthday on Friday so I can't share the whole thing just yet. The frustrating thing is I started this way back in February and after the embroidery bit it just sat there until today. Is there a word for that? I was going to say I was procraftinating but actually I think procraftiation is when you make stuff instead of doing housework and chores!

Anyway, enough about me, let's take a look at the features from last week's Handmade Monday:
Claire from Pillar Box Blue turned an old window frame into a beautiful herb planter. It sounds like it was not a project without it's challenges but I like knowing how other people overcome problems when their ideas don't go immediately to plan. This turned out beautifully in the end too.

I love a good clothing refashion and Lina from Sew Historically has collected a whole bunch of ideas to inspire us to reuse old t- shirts. She has an ongoing linky added too so you can find even more inspiration or join in and add your own.

Congratulations, here is a "Yay! I was featured" button for your blog.

<div style="width:100%;text-align:center;"> <span style="margin:5px;padding:5px;border-radius: 5px;border:1px solid lightgrey;display:inline-block;"><a rel=_nofollow href="http://www.sumoftheirstories.com/"> <img style="border: 1px solid gray;width:150px;height:150px;" src="http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab78/Juliered200/Handmade%20monday%20featured_zpsewahixd7.jpg"> <p style="allign: center;"> </p> </a></span></div>
Instructions: Select all code above, copy it and paste it inside your blog post as HTML

We are all about sharing and caring here at Handmade Monday so when you do link up please take some time to visit some other links and leave a comment. Plus if you are able, do share a few on the social media of your choice. (I know the world of tweets, likes, shares and hashtags is not for everyone so whatever you can do will be much appreciated!)

We have a Handmade Monday facebook group, where we share news and helpful stuff we've found (now and again...we are not an overactive facebook group by any means!) If you are not already a member and you'd like to join just click on the link above and send a request.

The rules for Handmade Monday are simple:

• Did you make it? Yes - hooray, we'd love to see it!
• Add the link to a specific blog post, not your main site URL.
• Link up to 3 posts each week.
• Mingle - visit some of the other links - comment - share - let's support one another and grow our craft community.

If you're not sure on anything, more information can be found here.

An InLinkz Link-up